Lehr



Sept. 19, 1961 J. s. GREGoRlUs ET AL LEHR ATM fr Sept. 19, 1961 1 s, GREGORlUS ET AL 3,000,141

LEI-IR 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1957 2. e550 u BY Hoe/fc5 m mem/EP .1. s. GREGoRlUs ET A1. 3,000,141

sept. 19, 1961 LEI-IR 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 5, 1957 INVENTORS JOJEPH 5. GPEGOP/l/S THOMAS 2. REED @u BY HORA cf ,42o/vm INV ENTORS 5. 6195602/05 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 JUS E PH THOMAS 1Q. REED anca Sept. 19, 1961 J. s. GREGoRlUs ET AL LEHR Filed Sept. 5, 1957 1 1 11 11111111 11 11 1111111111 1 1 1111111111111/ 11 1111 1 /1 11 11111 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 111 1/11/1 1111111/ 1 1111 111 1 1111 111 1 1111 1 111 111111 1//1111111111111 111/ 1 111 1 111/1111111 11111111111111111111111111111111111 111/111 1111111111111111111/111111 1111 1111/ 11111111/ 1111111111111111111111111111111111/11111111111111/11 v9? OY 4 am om. E7 "N0 \\\w\ A Sept. 19, 1961 J.s.GREGoR1Us ET AL 3,000,141

LEHR Filed Sept. 5, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5- Sept. 19, 1961 J. s. GREGORIUS ET AL 3,000,141

' LEHR Filed sept. 5, 1957 8 sheets-sheet e Fi Q- 6.

INV ENTORS J05PH s. @2560/2/05 THOMAS e. ein

BY #MACE nf. @dipf/2 www.,

Sept. 19, 1961 J. s. GREGORIUS ET AL 3,000,141

' LEHR Filed Sept. 5, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Sept I9-, 1961v 1s. GREGORIUS ET AL 3,000,141

LEI-IR 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 5, 1957 mzON INVENTOR5` JOSEPH 5 GEEGOP/US THOMAS P. PEL-'D and, BY HORACE IM GAQDNER bo. com non nvoo com oOO macon.

United States Patent Filed Sept. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 682,241 s claims. (Cl. 4th-47) This invention relates to apparatus for .annealing glass, such as plate glass, and it has particular relation to lehrs of the elongated tunnel type through which a continuous ribbon of plate glass is transported by conveyor means from the lforming rolls, and in which the glass is subjected to varying temperature environments in order to relieve strains that may exist in the glass.

The prior art is replete with disclosures of lehrs of the tunnel type provided with a pl-urality of longitudinally disposed ducts above and/or below the conveyor means for the passage of a cooling fluid, such as air. Many of the prior art devices employ fans or blowers located adjacent the hot end of the lehr for drawing the cooling air through the ducts, the cooling air traveling in a direction opposite to that of the glass. These prior art devices may be provided with ues vertically extending from the ducts and positioned at spaced intervals Ialong the length of the ducts for allowing cooler air to be introduced and mixed with the duct air for controlling the temperature gradient from the hot to the cool end of the lehr. Other prior art devices employ the vertically extending tues for withdrawing a portion of the cooling air from the ducts, this arrangement also being for the purpose of controlling the temperature gradient of the lehr.

The lehr forming the subject matter of this invention is also provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ducts. However, these ducts are divided into a plurality of longitudinal interconnected sections, adjacent sections being also connected to `a chamber in which is disposed a iblower or a fan. Each chamber is provided with the necessary means for allowing an exhaust of cooling fluid from the ducts, or an intake of cooling Huid to the ducts. Each of theduct sections may, if desired, be connected in such a mannerthat the means lfor exhausting `and intaking of air and theblower or fan will be inoperative, this being accomplished with suitable dampers and the like. The ow of cooling air through each of the ducts may be controlled independently of the ow of cooling air through the other of the ducts. Inaddition to the above, means are provided for indicating the temperature in each of the ducts at spaced points alongtthe longitudinal extent ofthe Various sections, and also, means are provided Yto indicate the temperature ofthe glass ribbon on a transverse axis as it passes from the hot to the cool end of the lehr. It may thus be understood that the structure -broadly described is constructed so that the temperature gradient of the lehr from the hot to the cold end may be accurately controlled, and therefore the glass ribbon will bev annealed to be substantially free :from strain. The ribbon in itsannealed state may be cut easily into sheets and will be free Vof warp. Therefore, the primary object of this inventionis the provision of an improved annealing lehr especially #adaptable for annealing a continuous.ribbonof plate glass; y t

Another object of this invention is`the provision of an improved annealing lehr ofthe elongated Vtunnel type wherein there are provided a pluralityk of longitudinally extending ducts for the passage of cooling fluid and having means whereby the temperature gradient in the lehr and inthe ducts` may be accurately controlled.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved annealing lehrfor annealing plate glass of the Patented Sept. V19, -1961 ice elongated tunnel type having a conveyor means, a plurality of longitudinal ducts in proximity to the conveyor means lfor the passage of a cooling uid relative to the glass, each `duct including a plurality of interconnected longitudinal sections, and means associated with adjacent sections for controlling the quantity and quality of the cooling fluid flowing through the ducts.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of an improved annealing lehr of the elongated tunnel type having a plurality of top and bottom longitudinally extending ducts, each duct comprising a plurality of longitudinal connected sections, the adjacent sections being connected to a plenum chamber and having the necessary means associated with the chamber for controlling the How of cooling fluid through the ducts.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURES lA, 1B, 1C and 1D are schematic plan views of portions of the lehr of this invention and when lassembled in sequence illustrate the complete lehr from its entrance or hot end to its exit or cold end;

`FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of lthe lehr taken on line 2 2 of FIGURE 1A;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE 1A;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIGURE lB; 4

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken either on line 5 5 of FIGURE 1B or on line S11-5a of FIGURE 1C;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken online 6 6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration of the lehr ducts, the means for controlling the quantity and quality of the cooling fluid therein, and the means to take the temperatures of the cooling fluid and the glass ribbon; and

FIGURE 8 illustrates an annealing curve having temperatures plotted against time and length of the lehr.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the same reference characters refer to like parts, and in particular to FIGURES 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 7 there is illustrated schematically a tunnel type annealing lehr, generally identified as 10, having a plurality of upper and lofwer longitudinally extending ducts therein in side-by-side relation and in proximity to and spaced from a suitable conveying means for the passage of cooling fluid relative to a ribbon of glass ybeing conveyed from one end to the other end of the lehr. The lehr, in its preferred environment, is disposed closely adjacent the forming rolls of a plate glass furnace, so as to receive the ribbon of glass as it issues from between the rolls.

As illustrated, there are tive such ducts, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in side-by-side relation in the upper part of the lehr, and a corresponding number of ducts, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 in the lower part of the lehr, the latter not being shown in FIGURES lA, 1B, 1C or 1D, but being indicated in FIGURE 7. Of course, there may be greater or lesser number of ducts without departing from the spirit of this invention. Each duct is constructed in a plurality of interconnected sections, namely, duct 11 is constructed in sections 241, 22, 23, 24 and 25; duct 12 is constructed in sectionsv26, 27, 28, 29 and 30; duct 13 is constructed in sections 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35; duct 14 is constructed in sections 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40; and duct 15 isV constructed in sections 41, 42., 43, 44 and 45. Since the bottom ducts are constructed in the same manner as the top ducts, and have the same means associated therewith for controlling the quantity Vand quality of cooling fluid therein, the following description will refer only to the top ducts, it being understood that it is also applicable to the bottom ducts. The number 3 of sections in each duct may be greater or less than the ve identiiied without departing from the spirit of this invention. j

The lehr may be considered as divided into three parts, i.e., a soakingzogne,l an. annealing zone. and a coolingzone,` landthe latter two zonesare; each. described asA divided into` two. parts.,

42 are associated with'theirstpartothe annealing zone;

the duct sections 23, 28, 33, 38 and-43 are associated with the second part of the annealing zone; the duct sections 24, 29, 34, 39 and 44Ware associated with the tirst part of the cooling zone; andfthe duct sections, 30, 35, 40* and are associated with the second part ofthe coolingzone.

The duct sections adjacent l'thegentrance or hot end of the lehr 10namely, 21,216,31, 36, and 41 terminate adjacent andA spaced, from the'y end= of the lehr in vertically extending headers46, 47, 48, 49 and 50, respectively, and arel provided adjacent their opposite ends with vertically extending headersA 511', 52,53', 54 and 55. The duct sections 22, 27,l 32', 37' and 42 are provided adjacent their terminal ends with vertically extending headers 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,63, 64and-65'. The duct sections 23, 28, 33, 38 and 43 `are provided adjacent their terminal ends with vertically extending headers 66, 67', 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 7`4 and 75. Theduct sections-24, 29, 34, 39 and 44 are provided adjiacentv their terminalends with vertically extending headers 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. The duct sectionsv 25, 38, 35, 40vand` 45 are open at their terminalf endsadjacent the exit or cold end of thev lehr and are provided with vertically extending headers :86 `87, 88, 89 and 96' adjacent their opposite terminal ends.

The headers 46, 47, 48, 49`fand 50 terminate in a conduit 118; the headers 51,52, 53, 54 and S5 terminate in a conduit 122; the headers 56, 57, 58, v59 and 60` terminate in a conduit 121; the headers 61,62, 63, 64' and 65 terminate in a conduit 130'; theheaders 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70 terminate yin a conduit 129; the headers 71, 72, 73, 74` and terminate in a conduit '137; the headers 76, 77,

78, 79 and 80 terminatein a conduit 136; the headers 81, ,82, 83, 84 and 85 terminate in a conduit 144;v and the headers 86, 87, 818, 89 and 90 terminate ina conduit 143.

A damper. 97 is provided ateach of the junctures of the duct sections 21 and`22, 26 and'27, 31 and 32, 36and 37, and 41 and 42; a damper 98 is provided at eachA of the junctures of the sections 22 and 23; 27 and 2.8, 32 and 33, 37 and 38, and 42 and v43; a damper 99 is provided at each of the Vjunctures oli" the sections 23 and 24, 28 and 29, 33 and 34, 38 and 39; and 44 land 45; and a damper 100 is provided at each of the junctures ofthe sections 24 and 25, 29 and 30, 34 and35, 39 and 40, and 44 and 45.

A damper 101 isprovided'in each of the headers 46, 47,Y

' vided in each Iofthe headers 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80; a

damper 108 is provided in each of the headers 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85; anda damper 109`is provided in each of the headers 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90.

Fans or blowers 96 are disposed within the chambers 91 to 95. The fan 96 in the chamber 91, the one adjacent the hotv end ofthe lehr 10, is provided with an inlet 118 and an outlet 111. The inlet 110 is connected tothe headers 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 by means of a conduit 112' and with the interior `ofthe lehr by means of a conduit 113. Adamper 114v is provided in the conduit 1'12'andr a pairfof dampers 115land-i116 are provided inthe conduit 113. adjacent the opposite sides of a heatingmeans 117. A conduit `118y connectsV thel headers 46, `47; 48, 49

4. and 50 tothe outlet 111` and is provided with a damper 119. A `damper 120 is provided in the outlet 1.11, as illustrated.

The fan 96 in the chamber 92 is provided with an inlet 121 and an outlet 122 to which are respectively connected an intake conduit 123 and an exhaust conduit 124, the conduit 123 being provided with a heating means 125. The conduits 12.2. and 121 respectively communicate with the headers 51; 52, 53, 54 and 55, and 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60. The co-nduit 123 is provided with a damper 126 and the conduits 122. andn124 arel provided, respectively, with dampers 127 and.1-28.

The fan 96 in the chamber 93 is provided with an inlet 129 and an outlet 130 toi-which are respectively connected an intake conduit 131 and an exhaust conduit 132, the inlet 129 being connected to the headers 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70, and the outlet being connected to the headers 61,. 62, 63, 64 and 65. The conduit V131 is provided with a damper 133; the conduit 132 is provided with a dampen 134; and the outletv 130 is provided with a damper 135.

The fan 96 is the chamber 94 is provided with an inlet 136 and an outlet 137 to which are respectively'connected an intake conduit 138 and an exhaust conduit 139, the` inlet 136 being connected to the headers 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80v and the outlet 1137 being connected to the headers 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75. The conduit 138 is provided with a damper 140; the4 conduit 139 is provided with a damper 141; and the conduit 137 is provided with a damper 142.

The fan 9,6 in the chamber 95 is provided with aninlet 143 and an outlet 144- lraving respectively connected thereto an intake conduit 145 and `anexhaust conduit 146, the inlet 143 being connected to the headers 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 and the outlet 144 being connected to the headers 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. The-conduit145 is provided with a damper 147; the conduit 146. is provided with a damper 148; and the outlet 144 is provided with, a damper 149.

The above-mentioned. fans with their associated inlets; outlets, conduits and ldarnpers constitute control means: for withdrawing air from the outlets of each duct section and for selectively introducing air from a duct section and the ambient atmosphere into the inlet of a preceding next adjacent and connected duct section. Dampers 97 to 100 -provide means for selectively bypassing the fans and associated conduits.

As previously mentioned,.means are provided for taking the temperatures of the cooling fluid in the ducts and also of the ribbon of glasstraveling through the lehrs.

Thus, means, such as thermocouples 150, are provided in the duct sections 21, 26, 31,y 36 andv 41 adjacent the headers 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50, respectively; -a thermocouple 1511-is provided in the duct section 31 adjacent the header 53; thermocouples 152 are provided inthe duct sections 22, 27, 32, 37 and 42 adjacent the headers 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60, respectively; -a thermocouple `153 istprovided in the section 32 adjacent the header 63; thermocouples 154 are provided in the duct sections 23, 28, 33, 38 and 43 adjacent the headers 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70, respectively; a lthermocouple 155 is providedv in the section 33 adjacent the header 73; thermocouples 15G-are provided'in the duct sections 24, 29, 34, 39 and 44 adjacent the headers 76, 77, 78, 79 vand 80, respectively; and

thermocouples 157 are provided in the duct sections 25,

30, 35, 40 and 45 adjacent the headers 86, 87,'V 88, 89 and 90, respectively. A thermocouple 158 is provided in the conduit 113 andA a thermocouple 159 is provided in the` conduit 1123, the thermocouples being -adjacent the heater means 117 and v124, respectively. Y

A series of thermocouples 160V is provided at the entrance or'hot end of the'lehr and are positioned to be closelyadjacent` the top ofthe glass sheet as it travels through the lehr. On a transverse axis, there are three such thermocouples, the outer twoof which are positioned for takingthe temperatures ofthe edges of the ribbon, and

a center of which is positioned for taking the temperature of the center of the ribbon.

Series of similarly arranged thermocouples 161, 162, 163 and 164 are provided in the soaking zone, the lirst part of the annealing zone, the second part of the annealingzone and the rst part of the cooling zone, respectively, and the thermocouples 165 and 166 are provided in the first and second parts of the annealing zones respectively for taking-the temperature of the Vbottom of the ribbon.

Each` thermocouple is connected to a suitable means (not shown) whereby the temperatures may be read, recorded, etc.

Turning now to lFIGURES 2 to 6 inclusive, a more detailed description of the lehr construction follows.

As illustrated, the lehr is of lshell construction having a bottom i180, a roof 181 and slide walls 182. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the top ducts 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, and the bottom ducts 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, previously describeddo not extend to the terminal end of the hot end of the lehr. The bottom of the lehr is constructed of metal shells having, -at least for :a portion of its length, and especially in the soaking and annealing zones, insulating material therein. The bottom is supported by means ofa plurality of longitudinally extending I-beams 183 tied together transversely by means of tie rods 184. The end construction of the lehr is especially illustrated in FIG- URE 2. FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 show the bottom 180 supporting the plurality of longitudinally extending side-byside ducts 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Y. The roof 181 of the lehr at the hot end, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, is constructed of a plurality of connected metalV shells having insulating material therein. Adjacent this construction, and as illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the roof 181 is constructed of the plurality of longitdinally extending side-by-side ducts 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The shells and ducts are supported by means of a plurality of transversely arranged roof I-beams 185 supported at their opposite ends on the side walls 182, and insulating material may be provided over the ducts where necessary or desired.

The side walls 182 are likewise of metal shell construction having insulating material therein, upper and lower longitudinal portions of the insulating material 186 and 187 in the soaking and annealing zones being exposed to the interior of ythe tunnel and having longitudinal grooves therein for purposes which will later be described.

The side walls 182 are formed to support a plurality of spaced Vrolls 188 which form the conveyor means, generally identified at 189, for conveying the glass ribbon through the llehr from its entrance or hot end to its exit or cold end. Driving means 190 are provided at Ithe opposite ends of the rolls 188 for rotating the rolls, and since the driving means 190 do not form a part of this invention, further detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

Adjacent the entrance or hot end of -the lehr 10 (see FIGURE 2) the roof 181 is provided with an opening 191 to receive a vertically movable cover member 192 having a` cable 193 connected thereto, as at 194. The cable 1193 passes over. a pulley `195 fixed to a shaft 1'96 supported by astructure 197 on the top of the lehr. The cable passes over -another pulley 19.8.supported adjacent one terminal endof` a roof I-beam 185 so that it may be grasped by an operator to raise the cover and allow hot gases within the tunnel to escape when the temperature at the hot end is too high. A counterweight 199 is fixed to the shaft 196 to assist the operator in raising the cover member 192.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, a cross-section through the soaking zone, the central upper duct 13 may be provided with a plurality of openings 200 closed by means of vertically movable and spaced cover plates 201 connected by means of an upstanding plate member 202 to a linkage means 206 pivotable as at 204 having a cable 205 and a counterweight 206 attached thereto. 'Ihe cable passes over a pulley 207 supported as illustrated, so that the cover plates may be lifted from the openings yand allow the through the remainder of the annealing range.

escape of hot tunnel gases when the temperature in the soaking zone becomes excessive. 'Ihe counterweight 206 assists the operator in raising the cover members.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the side wall portions 186 and .187, previously described as being grooved, receive heater means 208 such as electrical heater coils for supplying heat to the interior of the lehr 10 in the soaking and annealing zones. Also, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the outer top ducts 111 and 15 are slightly reduced in width in the soaking and annealing zones and abut against blocks of insulating material 209 which are grooved to receive heater means 210 such as electrical heater coils. The heater coils 208 and 210 are connected to suitable control means (not shown) and are positioned so that the greatest heat will be applied to the edges of the ribbon which are at a lower temperature than the middle of the ribbon since, in -the forming operation, the edges contact forming guns which tend to chill them.

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, adjustable asbestos curtains 211 are provided at spaced points in the cooling zone of the lehr. These curtains are supported on a rotatable shaft 212 so that the curtain may be raised or lowered. The shaft :212 is provided with an operating handle 213, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, having guide means 214 received in an arcuate slot 215 in a plate member 216 supported from the lehr side wall. By moving the handle between the limits of the arcuate slot, the vertical position of the curtain may be varied.

As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 there are provided a plurality of cylindrical members 217 passing through the ducts 1:1,13 and 15. Each of these cylindrical members receives a thermocouple, such as I160, 161, 162, 163, or 1164V for taking the temperature of the ribbon of glass as it passes through the lehr. The bottom thermocouples and 166 merely extend through the side walls of the lehr in a conventional manner.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 8 showing a curve of the temperature range through the soaking Zone, the annealing zdne and the cooling Zone. This curve, also plotted against time, indicates the time required for passage of the glass from the hot end to the cold end of the lehr for a particular speed of travel. The placement of the thermocouples for taking the temperature of 'the glass ribbon are indicated and identified by dotted lines, and the location of the various fan chambers and the headers communicating with the ducts are indicated and identified by solid, straight lines. The locations of the asbestos curtains are indicated and identied by the wavy lines.

The glass ribbon, shortly after it is for-med, passes into the soaking zone of the lehr 10 where it is reheated in order to bring it to a substantially uniform temperature across its width, this being necessary because, among other things, the edges of the ribbon are somewhat chilled by their contact with an edge forming gun. With reference to the curve of FIGURE 8, it will be noted that theY glass passes through a temperature range in the soaking zone of approximately ll00 F. to l050 F. In the annealing zone the glass passes through a temperature range of approximately l050 F. to 850 F. The temperature range of l050 F. to 950 F., that in the rst part of the annealing zone, is the critical annealing range wherein the actual annealing of the glass occurs. The further cooling of the glass has practically no effect thereon except to bring it to a temperature for handling. It whill be also noted that the glass is taken through the critical annealing range in a longer period of time than In the cooling zone, the temperature of the glass is reduced from approximately 850 F. to 350 F., the cooling of the glass taking place in a relatively gradual manner.

The length of the lehr and the temperatures through which the glass passes may vary due to the speed of the glass as it is conveyed through the lehr, Ithe temperature at which it is introduced rin to the lehr, and its, thickness. For purposes of; description andL as= a* specic example4 of thelehr-,as indicated in Sijthey ilehr'is() feet long, the 'lengtlr includingfia soakingjzone' of'7051feet, a-

first' part of the annealingzone'of" 8'4" feet, a second part off the annealingzone `of'4f2'feet (m'akinga total anneal# ing Zoneof` 126 feet), a i'irstpartL of' the'cooling zone of 1:02` feet Vand a second part' ofl the cooling Zonel of* 72` feetA (making the' cooling' zone 174 feet long-)g specic example indicated in FIGURE 8v4 it .requires approximately 't1-6 minutes for any'discrete particle of glass to pass Vfrom the hotl to the 'cold end of-the lehr.

Once an annealingcurveis` decidedf on, such as the curve of'F'IGURE 8,` the llehr, vbecause of: itsn exibility, may be operated in such a manner that the temperature of theV glass ribbon as it travels throughy the lehr will follow the curvez, This entails .the takingof the temperature of the:` ribbon aty spaced positions during its travel by'means of the thermocouples, suchas 160, 161, y162., 163, 164, 165 and 166i, the operation of theolosure members 192 and 201' inl the soaking zone, the controlling of` the heat from: the heater means 117 and 125; and the controlling of the' quantityv and quality, iLe., the amount and the` temperature ofi the cooling iluidr inthe ducts; The cooling fluid, such as air,

whichlpreferably' travelsrin a direction opposite to that ofl theglass ribbon, as indicated in FIGURE 7, is controll'edbythe various fans or blowers96, heaters 117, 125 and dampers. Each` duct Ymay becontrolled independently of the others by means'of'the; various dampers provided, thus adding to the exibility off the` arrangement.

For example, the side and topy edge heaters 208 and 210 may supply heat to bring-,the edges of the ribbon tothe temperature of its middle portion, so as to equalize the temperature across the ribbon. Any one or more of the fans or blowers 96 may lbe inoperative, so that, with the dampers, such as 97, 98, 99' or 100 open, cooling fluid 'will flow through the duct junctures without passing through the respective headers. Or one or more of the dampers 97, 98, 99 or 100 may be open to allow flow through the duct juncture, while others of the dampers may be closed, thereby allowing flow'throughv the respective headers and into the fan chamber where the fluid may be exhausted through the associated exhaust conduit. Other and cooler iluid may be introduced through the intake conduit, so that the quantity and quality of cooling fluid in theductsl may differ in one or more of the adjacent duct sections.

The arrangement at the hot end of the lehr allows, when the fan 96 is not operating, a passage of cooling iluid either to exhaust to the atmosphere or to the interior of the tunnel; For example, with. damper 114' closed and dampers 119 and 120 open, iluid from the. ducts Will exhaust tothe atmosphere. With damper 120 closed and dampers1141, 115, and 116 open.airy willexhaust to the interior of the tunnel. When the fan is operating, fluid fromthe duct` and/ orfrom the-interior of the tunnel'may be exhausted' to the atmosphere. For example, with dampers 115 and 119` closed and dampers 114.and 120 open, uid from the duct willbe exhausted to'the atmosphere. Withdaimpers` 1-14 and 119 closed: anddarmpers In the tunnel will' -be exhaust'ed to the atmosphere; Withth'e' damper 119 closed and dampers'114; 11'5', 116 and120` open, fluid from both'the, duets and the interior'of the,

tunnelwillibe exhausted 'to' the atmosphere.' l The heaters 11T and 125, when energized, will' heat Huid for introduction into the tunnel or' intor the ducts, respectfully; j Many more examples of operation' could` be given; which would furtherl illustrate the flexibility of'th'econstruction; however, with the various controls, etc.,V itis. considered that the operation of the lehr will be apparentfrom the previous descriptionY to one, skilled in the' arti While this invention has been described with reference. to a preferred construction, it lis to` beunderstoodtliaf this is by way of. illustration and. not by way oflimitation.

We claim. 1. A lehr for annealing `glass comprisinga tunnelihav ing an entrance and anA exit' and characteri'zedby atemperature gradient between said'entrance andsaid exit,v al conveyor extending longitudinally through saidtunneliforj conveying. glass from said entrance to. said* exit,.t1ansi cations` longitudinally of the lehr, each operativelyl as` sociated by conduits to` the duct sections.,

3; 'A lehr as recitedin claim 2`wherein the means for. selectively withdrawing air and the means for selectively,V introducing air include Vadjustable dampers operatively,V associated with said conduits and so constructedl and ar.- ranged as to control the amofunt of airt flowingthrough the duct sections. f Y

4. A lehr as recited in claim 2'trther ii1cluding-,aheat= ing means operatively associated with an-air intake, and,

one of said blowers, and being so constructed andlarranged' for heating the intake ofair from thetambient` atmosphere.

5. A lehr as recitedin claimZurther rincludingrnea'nsv tor selectivelyv bypassingA the withdrawingmeans andthe.v introducing means; anda blower means operativelyassoclated with oneof'tlie terminalsends offsaid: ducts and.l

said tunnelsaid last mentioned blower means being. so. constructed and `arranged to Withdrawair fromsaidducts. and from said'tunnel., v

References Cited inthenieof this parent; UNITED STATES PATENTS,

1,1653585 vFox* Dec.v 28; 1'915` 1,486,265 Pike .Mar.4 1.1, 1:9214; 1,560,481 Mulholland ISIov.,3`f,.192,5lv 1,828,070 Pryor et al: ...Oct..2.0,a1931.'` 1,853,878 Paxton A'pr.- 12, 1932. 

